This is change?
Just recently, Barack Obama's economic advisor Robert Reich made the following comment concerning the new stimulus package: "We do not want these jobs to go to white construction workers." Is this the change America voted for? It always amazes me when the media and the Democrats accuse Republicans of being insensitive to racial issues. The truth of the matter is the Democrats can't seem to get over the race issue! What party was dominated by racial issues during the primaries? Once again, it wasn't the Republicans!
Empty ballparks on opening day?
The economy is in poor condition, companies closing and/or laying off employees, home foreclosures, unemployment at it's highest in years, our military losing lives and so many really important and life changing things going on, so why do we have to hear about baseball players being offered contracts for millions of dollars? No one is worth that much money. I'd love to see the teams arrive to play on opening day to empty ballparks. After all, who can afford to go?
Bajor above aldermen?
It looks like the City of Des Plaines has a prime minister...Jason Bajor! I think moving himself up on the throne provides the positioning he needed to somehow raise himself above the level of the aldermen. It's a psychological thing, right Jason? Let's see if it works and if you can shout down or put the aldermen in their place.
Can still hear him crowing
Update on Henry's part-time job: As you recall, I have a friend that has to get up at the crack of dawn for a month straight, working on a project deadline. He gets up every day on time but can't stop Henry from crowing. He says he's out the door on time and can still hear him crowing as he gets in his car. I miss my little buddy.
Don't cut off the end of the wing
Clipping the wings on Henry the Rooster: Clipping the wings (also called pinning or flight restriction) is common in poultry farmed in backyards, to help prevent them flying over the fence into danger, or into the vegetable garden, or into neighboring properties. Clipping the wings means trimming the flight feathers of one wing without drawing blood. The idea behind it is that it makes the bird unbalanced and unable to fly. The procedure is repeated when the flight feathers re-grow. Some people clip off the end of the wing, but this is not recommended, because while it permanently grounds the bird it runs the risk of infection and it is painful. Don't cut the smaller feathers on the wing, as these help keep the bird warm and dry. Henry will be O.K. I will take him to a private vet and he will do this for him.
Casino: Think positive
I would like to make some comments regarding all the negative comments on the casino in Des Plaines. I am a resident of the south side of Des Plaines where the casino is to be located. Have any of these people complaining about the casino ever been to a casino? You all make it sound like nothing but thieves, drunks, and low-grade people go to them. I have been to many casinos in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. We go for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Yes, we only go with two hundred dollars, don't take checks, or credit cards and when we lose our money, or win money, we leave after having about four hours of fun. My point being is that it is not some kind of low grade place. The corner of River Road and Devon where the casino is going right now is a very low grade, not mind appealing location. The casino will definitely brighten up the area and make it look very nice. As far as the traffic problem goes, you act like 500 hundred cars are going to clog the roads all at one time. Not the case, unless maybe on opening day, people come and go to the casino and not all at one time. You want to talk about traffic congestion, let's talk about the Allstate Arena. That is where traffic rally backs up on Mannheim, Touhy, Higgins, Devon, to the point where the residents can't even go out shopping when something is going on there without being held up in traffic for an hour. If my memory serves me correctly, there is something going on there almost every weekend, including a matinee and evening performance, and what about the things that go on there at night. Now you are talking about hundreds of cars backing up the roadways around here. What about the convention center? Look at the traffic backups on River Road, Higgins, Devon. Again, we are talking about hundreds of cars at one time backing up these roadways. I don't hear anyone complaining about that, or even doing anything about that. Let's take this one step further when the policemen stop traffic on Touhy by the office building from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. everyday, which I live through hell everyday, when they let the office complex out and then ties up traffic on Touhy especially when the light on Touhy and Mannheim only lets about 5-6 cars through. If I don't make it past that complex before 5:00 on my way home from work, I am sitting in a stretch of one stoplight from Lee to Mannheim for at least an extra 15 minutes every day. There is no casino involved in any of these situations. Traffic buildup is caused when there are hundreds of cars being let in and out at one time. You don't see this at a casino, again, unless it is opening days. Every casino I have been at, has very strict security personnel (and not only one or two) working there. They even have a special setup for adults 25 and younger, where some put their ID's through a computer system, or they are taking pictures of them. I have never seen a fight at a casino yet. Talk about added crime in the neighborhoods, if someone is going to rob you, they are going to do it whether there is a casino here or not. I read in Speak Out about investigating the crime rate in Elgin. Have you even been though Elgin? Maybe all you complainers should drive through it one day. This is for the person in Park Ridge who complains about the added crime and Maine South High School. I read about the crime that goes on there already in your town. You don't have such a perfect town with your crimes either and there is no casino yet. Why don't we look at the positive side of things like the income it will bring to the cities involved. Why don't we give it a chance and then if problems do arise we address them accordingly. I have enough faith that between Des Plaines, Rosemont and Park Ridge that any problems, if they arise at all, will be handled professionally by all of them. Let's stop the negative thoughts and think about the positives.
Seeking a spring break camp
I am seeking a Kids Spring Break Camp from Apr. 6-10 in Illinois for my daughter who is 5-years-old. If anyone knows of a center or park district that offers this during these dates. Please let me know. I would appreciate this. Thanks. brlinnane@yahoo.com.
A poem for Speak Out
Condos here, condos there, condos, condos everywhere. But mayor, when it rains, where is the water to go? Before there was grass and ground and soil, now it's cement concrete and gravel. I don't care---I'm leaving and we have a casino.
Sad to see Brookman go
Thank you Alderman Brookman for your fine public service during your time in office. I, for one, will miss you when you leave this coming April due to term limits. You are one of the very best aldermen this city has ever had during my 25 years of following city business and I want to thank you for your service.
Casino will force us to move
Regarding the planned casino at River Road and Devon: Examining the major adverse effects on a neighborhood, my family needs to move. But to whom would I sell my house? No one will want to live here, would you? This belongs in a very industrial or deserted area where families will not be effected. Or not built at all.
Put casino in industrial area
If Des Plaines plans on putting a casino in their city, shouldn't it be in an area such as somewhere between Touhy to the south and Oakton to the north around either Elmhurst or Busse where it is more appropriate? It would make sense that they use some of the open vacated factories and vacant land where it will not effect homeowners.
My job as a parent
To the person who feels that a Catholic education is the best kind of education I have this to say to you. It is a matter of choice. If you feel that your children are recieving the best education from your local Catholic school, great, but some will say that their children are receiving a wonderful education from the local public school. I attended Catholic school for most of my education and when I look back as an adult I think I had a great time. My children have attended public school in the area and I couldn't haven been more pleased with the education they have gotten. As for morals, manners, a sense of good will toward others, I believe that is my job as a parent to teach that to my children. It sounds like you made the right choice for your kids and others have made the right choice for their children. God Bless. C.K.
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